Young nurse Lucy Letby arrested on suspicion of 17 baby deaths in UK

After the nurse began working at the hospital an independent review of the unit was carried out because of concerns about a rise in "unexplained" deaths. Stock photo / Getty Images

A nurse who was arrested last year on suspicion of murdering eight babies and attempting to murder three more at a hospital in Chester in the UK has been re-arrested, Cheshire Police has announced.

Lucy Letby, 29, was questioned last July in connection with suspicious infant deaths at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016.

Police said the same nurse had been re-arrested on suspicion of the attempted murder of three more babies at the same hospital.

In a statement, Detective Inspector Paul Hughes, who is in charge of the investigation, said: "In July 2018 a healthcare professional was arrested on suspicion of murder in relation to the deaths of 8 babies and the attempted murder of 6 babies at the neonatal unit at The Countess of Chester Hospital. She was subsequently bailed pending further enquiries.

"As part of our ongoing investigation we have today (Monday 10 June) re-arrested the healthcare professional on suspicion of murder in relation to the deaths of 8 babies and the attempted murder of 6 babies. She has also been arrested in connection with the attempted murder of three additional babies.

"The woman is currently in custody helping officers with their enquiries."

The statement went on: "I would like to reassure people that we are doing everything we can as quickly as we can to identify what has led to these baby deaths and collapses.

"Due to the nature of this investigation it is extremely challenging but it is important to remember that it is very much active and ongoing – there are no set timescales and we remain committed to carrying out a thorough investigation as soon as possible.

"We fully appreciate that it continues to have a big impact on all those involved – including the families of the babies, staff and patients at the hospital as well as members of the public.

"Parents of all the babies are continuing to be kept fully updated and are being supported throughout the process by specially trained officers. This is an extremely difficult time for all the families and it is important to remember that, at the heart of this, there are a number of bereaved families seeking answers as to what happened to their children.

"At this stage, we are unable to go into any further details about the investigation but as soon as we can provide any further updates we will do.

The nurse worked at the hospital's neonatal unit since graduating from the University of Chester in 2011 with a degree in child nursing, and spent time at the unit during her three years training.

In July 2016, the Countess of Chester Hospital commissioned an independent review of the unit because of concerns about a rise in "unexplained" deaths.